It depends. Generally, if the money was received by your mother in 2025, then it will be reported as income in 2025, and not as a lump sum for current and prior years. However, if you do show in box 3, an amount designated as 2024 payments you can use the lump sum action.
- Example: Benefits for 2024
- If this is not specifically stated, then report all of the social security as usual without selecting lump sum.
- If it is specifically stated, then you can use the information below to try the lump sum selection to see the best results (TurboTax will calculate with the information you provide). See the details below for Lump Sum selection.
You can use the Social Security lump-sum action to reduce the amount of your taxable social security, even possibly to zero.
The lump-sum election has always worked correctly in TurboTax. Have all tax returns available for each year included in the lump sum payment (shown on your SSA-1099).
This can be handled on your tax return for 2025. The Form SSA-1099 should show a total amount in box 5, and then the amount that is designated for each year in box 3. Worksheet 4 is included after Worksheet 2 is completed for each year.
Be sure to select "lump-sum" method of reporting in this situation which is all done on the tax return for the year of receipt of the benefits. Enter the appropriate amounts for each year when you start that section of your return. Continue to add each year for all years listed in box 3. There is no amendment required.
- Open your TurboTax Return > Search (upper right) > type ssa1099 > Click the Jump to.... Link or Click on See more > the click on social security benefits in the FAQ
- Select Yes you received benefits > Complete your SSA-1099 > Continue > Yes I received at least one lump sum payment for 2023 or earlier > Continue
- Type a year from your SSA-1099 > Enter the amount received for that year > Continue
- If you received a Form SSA-1099 for the earlier year enter the box 5 amount, if not enter zero or leave it blank > Continue
- Enter the filing status for the earlier year > Continue > Select whether you lived with a spouse in the earlier year > Continue >
- Enter the information from the earlier year return > Continue > Add another lump sum payment (another year from box 3) if applicable or Click Done
- Continue to follow the screens until you are back at the Income Summary page
Also enter a zero if your Social Security benefits weren't taxable or there were none in the earlier year(s) (such as for a spouse). If you are using the TurboTax Desktop version review the Lump-Sum Social Security Worksheet in Forms. You can also review 'Earlier Year Lump-Sum Worksheet' for each year.
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